Question on physical presence and when to file the N-400

[eikogs]

My wife has been in the US for about 2 years of the needed 3 to begin the neutralization process. I am curious about the requirement or 18 months physical presence. Does that mean cumulative 18 months, or do they have to be consecutive? If we take a trip back to visit her family in China for a few weeks, does that start the clock over?

 

Does she need to hit the 3 year mark before filling out the N-400?

[dnoblett]

Cumulative, basically living in the states longer than total time away.

 

Being out of the country for 6 months consecutive will reset the clock, not a few weeks.

 

Can file the N-400 at 90 days prior to the three year mark.